The group caught up to me at the next lights. I was surprised to have one of the cyclists demand that I wind down my window and announce in an outraged tone that 'it is legal to travel two abreast'. Although I thought this was counter-intuitive, I made it my business to check whether this claim was correct (maybe the club cyclist was correct and I was wrong, despite the attitude).
However, I found this booklet online http://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ ... ooklet.pdf
At the top of page 13 it states:
I was relieved to find that I was correct, but disappointed that a club cyclist was ignorant of this piece of common sense. I guess it is a case of rule 151 (two abreast allowed) being trumped by rule 247 (stay within bike lane).Where there is insufficient room for two riders to ride abreast
in a bicycle lane, you must ride in single file. During the bicycle
lane operating times, you must not ride outside a bicycle lane
abreast of another rider unless you are overtaking.
I've taken the opportunity to post here in the interests of educating cyclists that may otherwise think two abreast in a narrow bike lane is a safe option! (Obviously, if there were no bike lane then cyclists can legally and readily fit within a typical motoring lane.)
I guess most riders are more sensible and have a better sense of self preservation.